Different Types of Disinfection Tools – Which is the Most Effective Sanitization Tool?
Almost every place in your environment contains microorganisms and bacteria. Even the human skin contains bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye. However, most bacteria are harmless to humans. Pathogens, on the other hand, can cause diseases or can be deadly in worst-case scenarios.
In recent history, COVID-19 is a microorganism, or particularly virus, we have been battling with, which has brought to light new sanitization protocols all across the world.
Why Do We Need To Disinfect?
Routine disinfection of surfaces in your home, workplace, or other facility is crucial in preventing diseases and sickness. They could range from influenza, coronavirus, or even a common cold.
For this purpose, there are several disinfectant tools available in the market, which is why it is important to understand how they work.
You should know which disinfectant is suitable for your environment and how you can use them to protect yourself, your family, or your employees.
Below, we highlight the different kinds of disinfectants available for both commercial and general use:
Types of Different Disinfectants
There are numerous categories of disinfectant tools available in the market. Depending on your situation, you can find industrial and commercial level disinfectant products that can help you achieve different sanitation goals.
Let’s look at the different types of disinfectants in detail:
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a ready-to-use disinfectant that can kill several kinds of viruses and bacteria pretty quickly. They are mildly acidic cleaners that can clean all kinds of services very well. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide products are known to kill COVID-19 viruses within a minute. However, you must keep in mind that it is a disinfectant product that needs to be handled carefully and with gloves because it can be dangerous for your skin.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quaternary ammonium compounds are usually found in hospital and clinical facilities because of their quick action and low cost. Quaternary ammonium compounds can easily disinfect a variety of surfaces and kill almost all kinds of bacteria and microorganisms. It is used in hospitals because it is quick to eradicate any dangerous viruses and pathogens that can contaminate your environment. It is important to provide patients with absolutely clean surfaces to prevent further sickness.
Chlorine Compounds
Chlorine-based disinfectants are popular mainly because they are inexpensive and can kill an array of organisms and viruses. Chlorine compounds are generally used for cleaning up bodily fluids and are ideal disinfectants for food and healthcare industries. However, chlorine-based disinfectants can be corrosive and harmful to your skin, which is why you have to work with them very carefully.
Alcohol
Alcohols are also effective against numerous viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. The downside of using alcohol as a disinfectant tool is that it evaporates very quickly. This means they do not remain on the surface long enough to kill every organism that may put you at risk. Other than this, alcohol is highly flammable, which means using it as a disinfectant on various surfaces can be very dangerous.
What To Consider While Purchasing A Disinfectant For Your Facility?
Now that you have learned about the different kinds of disinfectants available in the market, how would you consider which kind would be suitable for your needs?
There are three basic considerations that you can evaluate while choosing a disinfectant to meet your needs. These considerations are critical as the disinfectant you choose because it may impact the surfaces they end up on and the health of those that come in contact with them.
Let’s take a look:
Effectiveness
You have to ask yourself if killing microbes and pathogens is a top priority for your facility. If you belong to healthcare, hospitality, education, or long-term care facilities, your top priority is to be absolutely germ-free.
Kill Time
You also have to consider how long a disinfectant tool takes to kill specific viruses or pathogens. Does the disinfectant of your choice keep surfaces wet or dry in order to kill these specific pathogens? Some disinfectants can take 30 seconds, while some can take as long as ten minutes.
However, alcohol-based disinfectants can evaporate pretty quickly. This means they may not be a good choice if the bacteria you are targeting requires a higher kill time.
Safety
It is very important to consider if the product is safe for the surface that it is being applied to. You have to look for a disinfectant that does not damage the surfaces you are going to use it on. Some disinfectants can stain surfaces, are inflammable or corrosive, so choose wisely.
Calling A Professional: Who Can Help?
If you are confused or do not have the resources to carry out manual sanitization practices at your facility or home, you can always opt for professional sanitization services.
911 Restoration of Des Moines can provide your home or workplace with professional sanitization services in less than 45 minutes of contact. With years of experience, a skilled team, and industrial-level disinfectant products, they can sanitize your home/workplace in no time!
